Kuki refers to the phenomenon where large schools of herring swarm towards the coast to spawn. Such a sight was once common in Esashi Town, Hokkaido.

The reason Esashi boasted such prosperity in May that it was said, "There is no place in Edo (Tokyo) that can be found in Esashi," was due to the massive schools of herring. Traces of that era still remain in Esashi town today.

Esashi also has historical significance as a place associated with the Battle of Hakodate, one of the battles of the Boshin War that took place from the end of the Edo period to the early Meiji era. Why not visit Esashi, a town brimming with historical romance? We'll introduce you to the sights and tourist spots of Esashi.

<Table of Contents>
1..Kaiyomaru
2. Ancient Roads
3. Esashi Gourmet
4. Summary / How to get to Esashi Town

Upon arriving in Esashi Town, the first place you should visit is the Kaiyo Maru Sea Station. Here you can purchase admission tickets to the Kaiyo Maru Museum. There is also a brief explanation of the Kaiyo Maru posted, so it's a good opportunity to check out its history. A model of the Kaiyo Maru is also on display. As it is a sea station, you can also find souvenirs such as local specialties.

After purchasing your ticket to enter the Kaiyo Maru, exit through the door at the end of the corridor, opposite the entrance.

Stepping outside, we saw the Kaiyo Maru. The Kaiyo Maru was a warship commissioned by the Edo shogunate and built in the Netherlands. "Kaiyo" refers to the Big Dipper. In Dutch, it was called "Voorichter," which means "before dawn." You can feel the extraordinary expectations placed on the Kaiyo Maru. However, in December 1868, the Kaiyo Maru sank off the coast of Esashi in a storm.

The Kaiyo Maru in front of us was restored in 1990 to its original, full-scale form. It is 72.8 meters long. The Kaiyo Maru itself has been converted into a museum.

Let's go inside. The entrance is next to the ship.

Upon entering, you'll find a reception counter, so hand over your ticket and head left. The first thing that catches your eye is the row of cannons. It really gives you a sense of the Kaiyo Maru's history as a warship. If you continue straight ahead, you'll see hammocks on your right. There are crew members resting, but there are also empty hammocks that you can actually sit in. You sit down in the hammock and then lean back, but it sways, so it's a little difficult to maintain your balance. Once you lie down, the swaying feels really nice.

Inside the ship, there are mannequins on display to give you a glimpse of what it was like at the time. Among them are figures of Enomoto Takeaki and Hijikata Toshizo, who appear to be in the middle of planning their strategy! These figures, who played an active role in the end of the Edo period, also have ties to Esashi.

Salvage operations for the Kaiyo Maru, which sank off the coast of Esashi, began in earnest in 1975. The operation, which spanned nearly 10 years, was apparently a tremendous undertaking, as there had been no precedent in Japan for recovering artifacts from the sea. Therefore, they had to start by referring to examples from overseas.

More than 3 artifacts were recovered. These artifacts underwent desalination work with local high school students to preserve them. Some of the artifacts are on display at the Kaiyo Maru Museum.

<Kaiyo Maru Memorial Museum>
Address: 1-10 Ubagami-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0041, Japan
TEL：0139-52-5522
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Closed days: Open every day (April to October)
Mondays and the day after public holidays (November to March)
May 31nd to 5th
Admission fee: Adults 500 yen
Official website:http://www.kaiyou-maru.com

The old national highway, stretching approximately 1.1 km from Ubagami-cho to Nakauta-cho, is known as the "Ancient Highway." It was developed under the "Town Development Project that Utilizes History," and the project was completed in 2004.

The streetscape, featuring buildings typical of Hokkaido from the mid-Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa periods, has been recreated, and the underground power lines give it a clean, uncluttered look. The views are great, and it's easy to walk around, making it perfect for a stroll. So, let's take a walk along this ancient road that feels like a step back in time.

Ubagami Daimyojin

Ubagami Daijingu is a shrine said to have been founded during the Kamakura period. It enshrines Amaterasu Omikami, the three Sumiyoshi deities, and Kasuga deity (Ame-no-Koyane-no-Kami). The origin of the shrine is said to be that it was founded to enshrine an old woman, or Uba, named Orii-sama, who brought herring to Esashi.

Every August, a grand festival is held to pray for a bountiful harvest, a good catch of fish, and good health, attracting large crowds. Its history spans over 370 years. The highlight is the procession of 13 magnificent floats. It's a festival you should experience at least once to witness its vibrant atmosphere.

<Ubagami Grand Shrine>
Address: 99 Ubagami-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0041, Japan
TEL：0139-52-1900

Yokoyama family

The old houses remaining in Esashi convey the town's past prosperity. The Yokoyama family is an old family that has lived in Esashi for over 200 years, and in the Edo period they ran a fishing, commercial, and seafood wholesale business. It is said that the 8th generation still lives in Esashi today.

The house, which is open to the public, was built about 160 years ago and has been designated a tangible folk cultural property by Hokkaido Prefecture. Inside, old household items that were actually used are on display, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of what it was like back then. Some of the tools were used during the Showa era, so some visitors may feel a sense of nostalgia.

<Yokoyama family>
Address: 45 Ubagami-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0041, Japan
TEL：0139-52-0018
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Closed days: Open every day (April to October)
Reservations required (December to March)
Admission fee: Adults 300 yen

Former Nakamura family residence

The former Nakamura family residence is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. It was originally built by Mr. Ohashi, a seafood broker from Omi Province, and was acquired by the Nakamura family in the early Taisho period. The building is two stories high and is primarily constructed of cypress wood. The foundation is made of Shakutani stone transported from Echizen Province, and rosewood and ebony are also used in the interior. It is a considerably large residence, and you can probably appreciate its size more by viewing it from the side than from the front.

As indicated by the name "Former Nakamura Residence," it was donated to Esashi Town by the Nakamura family in 1974.

<Former Nakamura family residence>
Address: 22 Nakauta-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0034
TEL：0139-52-1617
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Closed days: Open every day (April to October)
Mondays and the day after public holidays (November to March)
May 31nd to 5th
Admission fee: Adults 300 yen

Former Hiyama Nishi County Office

The former Hiyama Nishi County Office, now the Esashi Town Local History Museum, is a Western-style building with striking white and green accents, and is designated as a tangible cultural property by the prefecture. It was restored to its original appearance over a year, starting in 1996.

What's particularly noteworthy are the fabric wallpapers on the walls and ceilings. You can see beautiful patterns like paisley and chrysanthemum motifs, as well as unusual designs like Momotaro (Peach Boy). These are reproductions of wallpapers found during restoration work. In addition to being used as a government office, the building was also used as a police station at the time, and the interrogation rooms and detention cells have been recreated.

In front of the building stands a distorted pine tree with a knot. It is said that this knot was created when Toshizo Hijikata, upon learning of the sinking of the Kaiyo Maru, struck the tree while weeping.

<Former Hiyama Nishi County Office>
Address: 112 Nakauta-cho, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0034
TEL：0139-54-2188
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 17: 00
Closed days: Open every day (April to October)

Mondays and the day after public holidays (November to March)

May 31nd to 5th

Admission fee: Adults 300 yen
Official website:http://www.hokkaido-esashi.jp/museum/top.htm

If you come to Esashi, you absolutely must try "herring soba." Right next to the main house of the Yokoyama family, which I mentioned earlier, they serve herring soba. The Yokoyama family's herring soba is said to be the original herring soba in Esashi. Be sure to give it a try!

Self-taken photos

For families with young children, Western-style cuisine is a better option than herring soba. Hotel New Esashi's restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, including fried shrimp and fried rice. It's a great place to go as you can find something you like.

<La Carpe>
Address: 52 Shinchi, Esashi-cho, Hiyama-gun, Hokkaido 043-0041
TEL：0139-52-3311
Hours: 7: 00 ~ 17: 00
Regular holiday: No holidays
Official website:http://primenet2010.biz/newesashi/

★Let's go on a long-distance trip to Hakodate with JAL!★

That concludes our introduction to Esashi's tourist spots. Each of these places offers a glimpse into Esashi's prosperity and history. If you're visiting southern Hokkaido, be sure to extend your trip to Esashi and experience the romance of its history!

[How to get to Esashi Town]
Go by carKu　
　Approximately 70km from Hakodate city center, about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
　Approximately 60km and 1 hour and 10 minutes from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
・ Go by bus
　Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes by local bus (Hakodate Bus) from Hakodate Station. 5 buses per day.
　Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by local bus (Hakodate Bus) from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. 5 buses per day.
　Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes by local bus (Hakodate Bus) from Kikonai Station. 6 buses per day.
　Approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes by local bus (Hakodate Bus) from Yakumo Station. Two buses per day.

For tourist information about Esashi Town, please contact... Esashi Tourism Convention Association
http://www.esashi-kankoukyoukai.com/

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  Matsumae Town Tourism | A trip to explore history and enjoy seafood in Hokkaido's only castle town!

• 

  Here's a quick rundown of 7 carefully selected local hamburgers from Hokkaido!

• 

  Winter events galore! A roundup of must-see sights for a February trip to Hokkaido!

• 

  Absolutely amazing! Top 10 best spots and routes for touring Eastern Hokkaido

• 

  Top 5 Recommended Parfaits in Kitami City You'll Want to Eat Anytime!

• 

  Winter season is here! Here's a recommendation for easy smelt fishing near Sapporo!

• 

  Let's have fun with the locals! 6 of Hokkaido's best summer festivals! ☆

• 

  Sapporo Streetcar ☆ Loop Line! Enjoy a leisurely little trip around Mt. Moiwa♪

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)